Submitted by: Dan Rich

Edmund F. Dettmer Sr.

March 15, 1921 - Nov. 20, 2007

South Bend Tribune 11/22/2007
SOUTH BEND - Edmund F. Dettmer Sr., 86, residing in South Bend, passed away at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007, in Catherine Kasper House, Donaldson, IN. He was born March 15, 1921, in Bow Valley, Nebraska to George and Theresa (Frigge) Dettmer and moved to Donaldson, IN, in 1935 and resided there for 10 years.

On June 6, 1945, in South Bend, he was united in marriage to Catherine R. Kierein. Together, they enjoyed 62 years of marriage until her passing on October 27, 2007. A son, John Dettmer, in 1997, also preceded him in death. Ed is survived by five sons, Edmund F. Dettmer Jr., of Iowa City, IA, Richard (Laura) Dettmer of Huntertown, IN, Dennis (Maurita) Dettmer of Hazeleton, PA, Charles (Ellen) Dettmer of South Bend and James (Laura) Dettmer of Sonoita, AZ. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. A sister, Sister Richeld, P.H.J.C. of Donaldson, IN; and two brothers, John (Ann) Dettmer of Plymouth, and Rev. Alfred Dettmer of Munster, IN survive Ed as well. Four brothers, Theophil Dettmer, Monsignor Aloysius Dettmer, Clement Dettmer and Leonard Dettmer, preceded him in death.

Mr. Dettmer was honorably discharged in 1945, from the United States Coast Guard, where he served in the Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean during World War II. He retired in 1986 from A.M. General Corp., where he worked as an inspector. He was an active member of St. Matthew Cathedral, where he ushered for many years, and was a member and Past President of the Holy Name Society. He was also a member of the German Club.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 24, in St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami St., South Bend. Rev. Michael Heintz will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, in Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be said at 5:00 p.m. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to The Bishop Joseph Crowley Fund, c/o St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46613.